Plant support frame and method and kit for making same

ABSTRACT

A bracing member for a plant support frame. In embodiments the bracing member comprises a body portion defining a perimeter; an opening provided within the body portion which is sized and dimensioned to receive a plant there through; and a plurality of radically oriented circumferential holes extending through the body portion. The holes being sized to accept a cooperating fastener for securing a support rod to the bracing member for forming the plant support frame. The different bracing members of a plant support frame are dimensioned for storage in a flat concentric arrangement whereby the circumferential holes of an inner bracing member align with the circumferential holes of an outer bracing member for receiving a locking pin there through for securing different bracing members together.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The subject matter disclosed generally relates to a support frame forplants and methods for making same.

2. Related Publications

A variety of plant support structures are known in the art. U.S. Pat.No. 7,735,259, issued Jun. 15, 2010, discloses stakes and cross bracesattached to each other by means of clamps. U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2005/0039394 discloses a plant support structurecomprising stakes, hoops and clamps. The contents of U.S. Pat. No.7,735,259 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0039394 areboth incorporated herein in their entirety.

SUMMARY

In a first embodiment there is disclosed a plant support framecomprising first and second bracing members and first and second supportrods.

In alternative embodiments the frame further comprises:

a) a third bracing member; and

b) a plurality of support rods.

In embodiments each of the first, second and third bracing members havedifferent diameters.

In embodiments the bracing members are secured to the rods by fastenersselected from the group consisting of clips, clamps, screw clamps, andU-bolts.

In embodiments the fastener is a screw clamp mounted on the bracingmember and comprises a gripping surface able to adopt an angle ofbetween about 5 degrees and about 85 degrees to the plane of the bracingmember.

In embodiments at least one the bracing member comprises an optionallyremovable segment.

In a further series of embodiments there is disclosed a kit for a plantsupport frame, the kit comprising at least first and second bracingmembers.

In embodiments the kit further comprises a plurality of fasteners forfastening the bracing members to suitably sized cooperating supportrods.

In embodiments at least one of the bracing members comprises a removablesegment.

In embodiments the kit comprises a least one anchor pin and at least onethe bracing member comprises a plurality of radial holes sized to acceptinsertion of the at least one anchor pin.

In embodiments the kit further comprises a plurality of support rods.

In yet a further series of embodiments there is disclosed a bracingmember for forming, together with suitable support rods, a plant supportframe, the bracing member comprising a plurality of openings, theindividual the openings sized to accept a cooperating fastener forsecuring the bracing member to a support rod.

In embodiments the bracing member comprises a removable segment.

In embodiments the bracing member comprises the fastener.

In embodiments the fastener is selected from the group consisting of aclamp, clip, screw clamp and U-bolt.

In embodiments the fastener is a screw clamp and the screw clampcomprises at least one gripping surface able to adopt an angle ofbetween about 5 degrees and 85 degrees to the plane of the bracingmember.

In embodiments the bracing member further comprises a plurality ofradially oriented circumferential holes.

In yet a further series of embodiments there is disclosed a plantsupport frame comprising at least first, second and third bracingmembers, at least two support rods, and a plurality of fasteners foroptionally fastening the at least first, second and third bracingmembers to the rods to form the frame; In further embodiments the framecomprises at least three support rods, and wherein when the frame isdisassembled, the first the bracing member will fit within the secondthe bracing member and the second the bracing member will fit inside thethird the bracing member to form a substantially concentric arrangementof the bracing members.

In embodiments the bracing members are adapted to be mutually secured inthe concentric arrangement.

In embodiments the fasteners are selected from the group consisting ofclips, clamps, screw clamps and U-bolts.

In yet a further series of embodiments there is disclosed a method forforming a plant support frame, the method comprising the step ofproviding at least three bracing members suitable for assembly with atleast one cooperating supporting rods.

In embodiments the bracing members are of different diameters and theresulting frame is tapered.

In embodiments the method comprises fastening the bracing members to thesupporting rods.

In embodiments each of the bracing members comprises a fastener forsecuring the bracing member to a supporting rod.

In embodiments the fastener is selected from the group consisting ofclips, clamps, screw clamps and U-bolts.

In yet a further series of embodiments there is disclosed a bracing barfor forming a plant support frame, the bar comprising at least two endfastener positions for securing the bar to at least two cooperatingsupport rods.

In embodiments the end fastener positions comprise or are adapted tocooperate with a fastener selected from the group consisting of clips,clamps, screw clamps and U-bolts.

In embodiments a bracing member comprises a hole for accepting acooperating support rod.

Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become moreapparent in light of the following detailed description of selectedembodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will berealized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable ofmodifications in various respects, all without departing from the scopeof the claims.

Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and the full scope ofthe subject matter is set forth in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a support frame according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows detail of the attachment between bracing members andsupport rods according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A shows an embodiment of a fastener comprising wire clip for themutual securing of rods and bracing members according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3B shows the use of two wire clips according to FIG. 3A to mutuallysecure a rod and bracing member.

FIG. 4 shows a modification of the embodiment according to FIG. 1wherein the bracing members comprise recessed areas.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section of an embodiment of a clamp assemblyembodiment for securing a bracing member to a supporting rod.

FIG. 6A shows a modified U-bolt assembly for securing a bracing memberto a supporting rod.

FIG. 6B shows an edge adaptor according to FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a bracing member, comprising aremovable bracing member segment.

FIG. 8 shows a straight crossbar according to a variant embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a brace according to an embodiment for holding a framerelative to a structure.

FIG. 10 shows the storage of bracing members according to an embodiment;and FIG. 10a shows bracing members in accordance with anotherembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

Definitions

In this disclosure, the word “comprising” is used in a non-limitingsense to mean that items following the word are included, but items notspecifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element bythe indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that morethan one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requiresthat there be one and only one of the elements. Thus the statement thata structure comprises two specified elements includes the possibilitythat the structure includes two, three, four or more such specifiedelements.

In this disclosure the recitation of numerical ranges by endpointsincludes all numbers subsumed within that range including all wholenumbers, all integers and all fractional intermediates (e.g., 1 to 5includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5 etc.).

In this disclosure the singular forms a “an”, and “the” include pluralreferents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, forexample, reference to a composition containing “a compound” includes amixture of two or more compounds.

In this disclosure term “or” is generally employed in its senseincluding “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

In this disclosure the term “plants” is not limiting and while in oneembodiment the frames and support frames disclosed herein are suitableto support tomato plants, it is not intended that the use of the supportframe be limited to tomato plants or to any specific plant types. Inembodiments, the support frames, bracing members, bracing rods andframes hereof are used with or for all manner and variety of plants,shrubs, small trees and the like, and those skilled in the art willreadily identify and implement suitable adaptations for use withparticular plant types. Without limitation frames according toembodiments are suitable to support all manner of climbing and fruitbearing plants and plants requiring additional support for their growthand by way of example and not limitation frames according to embodimentsare suitable for use with all manner of climbing plants such as peas,snap peas, snow peas, fruit bearing plants such as fruit trees, such asorange, lemon, apple, pear, peach, cherry, flowering plants such asthose with heavy flowers such as peonies, and sunflowers, and vines suchas grape, tomato, cucumber. Further non limiting examples of particularplant types with which embodiments are useable include beans, tomatoes,cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, roses, lilies, peonies, clematis, morningglory, wisteria and sunflower.

In this disclosure, the terms “support rod” or “support pole” or “rod”or “pole” are used interchangeably and mean any substantially elongatedstructure that is or can be used in combination with bracing members orbracing bars according to embodiments to form a support frame or framestructure. In particular embodiments, support rods include, but are notlimited to, stakes commonly used in gardening, and in alternativeembodiments is or may comprise any elongate rod, stick, stake, pole,cane or support and may include wooden stakes, rebar, bamboo sticks,canes, metal rods and the like. In embodiments the support rods maycomprise two or more segments. In alternative embodiments, support rodsmay consist of or comprise any material and may be of any suitablematerials, lengths and diameters.

In this disclosure the term “anchor pin” means a pin used to secure twostructures against relative movement. In embodiments and anchor pin issuitable to hold a bracing member or frame relative to a substrate,acting as a peg to peg the bracing member or frame to the ground. Inembodiments an anchor pin is useable to insert radially through aplurality of bracing members to hold them together for easy storage andtransportation. In embodiments an anchor pin serves both of theforegoing functions. An embodiment of the foregoing uses of an anchorpin is generally illustrated in FIG. 10.

In this disclosure, the term “support rod fastener” or “fastener” meansan assembly for securing a bracing member or a bracing bar or cross baror crosspiece to a cooperating support rod and in embodiments suchfasteners are located at varying distances around the perimeter of oneor more bracing members. In embodiments fasteners are proximate theinner or outer face or edge or surface of a bracing member or is mountedon or in a bracing bar. In embodiments, a fastener is optionallydetachable from the bracing member or bracing bar. In embodiments afastener is adjustable so that it can engage support rods of varyingmaterials and diameters and in embodiments is optionally removable orsecurable to a bracing member. It will be understood that in someembodiments a bracing member and fastener will be adapted to permit themto be optionally mutually secured. A fastener is to be understood tohave broad scope and in particular embodiments means and includes anysuitable device, mechanism or structure that is used for fastening,bracing, attaching or securing support rods to suitable cooperatingbracing members. In embodiments, fasteners may comprise, but are notlimited to, clips, Velcro tape, wire, rope, elastic band, screws, bolts,U-bolts, staples, adhesives, hook and eye arrangements and all manner ofother engaging means, all of which will be readily recognised by thoseskilled in the art. It will be understood that where the fastenercomprises a U-bolt then one of the rod or the bracing member will beenclosed by the closed end of the U. It will be further understood thatin embodiments where the fastener is a simple or straight bolt then boththe bracing member and rod will comprise a suitably sized and mutuallyalignable hole allowing the bolt to be inserted therethrough. Inembodiments a bolt may be secured in place using suitable nuts such aswingnuts. In one series of embodiments, the support rod fastenercomprises an adjustable grip or clamp. In embodiments a fastenercomprises a cover piece and comprises an Allen Key screw or otherequivalent structure for adjusting the clamp. In the foregoingembodiments when a support rod is inserted into the support rodfastener, the Allen Key screw or equivalent structure is turned to closethe clamp around the rod thereby securing the bracing member to the rod.It will be understood that in embodiments the clamp may be actuatedusing a screwdriver, a suitable handle or nut, or any other suitablemethod or structure, all of which will be recognised and implemented bythose skilled in the art.

It will be understood that in embodiments hereof a fastener isreversible. In other words, a fastener may be reversibly locked andunlocked so that a bracing member and rod may be joined and released asdesired by a user, so that a frame can be assembled and disassembled ormodified as desired from time to time.

In this disclosure the term “cross bar” or “crossbar” or “bracing bar”refers to a rigid structure which is engaged with a plurality of supportrods to thereby form a supporting frame. In embodiments crossbars havetwo free ends, and are adapted to carry optionally removable support rodsecuring assemblies. FIG. 8 shows an example of a bracing bar orcrossbar according to an embodiment. It will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that cross bars according to alternative embodimentsalternatively comprise one, two, three or more arms or ends and areoptionally in the shape of an X, Y, Z or other suitable shape and thatall manner of shapes may be combined and that those skilled in the artwill make suitable choices of shape, size and configuration for a widerange of applications. Thus the shapes and illustrations presentedherein are illustrative and are in no way limiting of the configurationsof bars, bracing members, support frames, frames and geometries thatwill be readily implemented by those skilled in the art. In particularembodiments a user may interlink structures to provide differentgeometries of support frames as may be desired.

In this disclosure the terms “bracing member” also alternativelyreferred to as a “bracing ring” or “bracing hoop” or “crosspiece” mean asubstantially rigid structure which may be engaged with a plurality ofcooperating support rods to collectively form a support frame. Inembodiments a bracing member includes one or more optionally removablesegments and in embodiment a bracing member is adapted so that theremovable segment or segments is optionally re-securable as part of thebracing member. In embodiments a removable segment may in fact be hingedor moveably attached to the remaining portion of the bracing member atone end so that it can be rotated about the hinge or is otherwise flexedor displaced to create a user defined opening in the bracing memberperimeter. Thus it will be understood that in embodiments a statementthat a segment of a bracing member is removable and similar statementsinclude the possibility that in embodiments the segment is displacedwhile retaining some attachment to the remaining portion of the bracingmember. In alternative embodiments, bracing members may have diametersof any suitable size and in particular embodiments a bracing member hasa diameter of up to or less than about 10 cm, 15 cm, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40,45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350or 400 cm or more than 400 cm. In general bracing members have anydesirable diameter or diameters, which will be readily understood andchosen amongst by those skilled in the art who will also select suitablematerials to make the bracing members, and will select and implementsuitable fasteners. In embodiments a bracing member comprises one ormore holes or openings sized to accept the insertion therethrough orthereinto of a cooperating support rod, and in embodiments the mutualsizing of the support rod and cooperating hole is such that there is africtional engagement between the two. In alternative embodiments therod or the rod end is adapted to screw or clip into the suitably adaptedcooperating hole. In embodiments the holes comprise fasteners. Inembodiments bracing members are sized in feet and inches rather than inmetric measures, and thus in embodiments bracing members have a diameterof up to, or more than, or less than, about 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 or 12inches or up to, or more than, or less than, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ormore feet. Those skilled in the art will understand that frames may beadjusted to larger or smaller sizes as desired by a user.

In embodiments, a bracing member comprises a plurality of support rodfasteners at various distances from each other on the bracing member.While the illustrated embodiments comprise bracing members that aregenerally circular hoops, the term bracing member is not limited tocircular or substantially circular shapes and includes all manner ofclosed shapes and by way of example and not of limitation, in particularvariant embodiments a bracing member is a circle, an oval, a square, arectangle, a triangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon,decagon or any other suitable shape, which shape may have a closedperimeter as exemplified in FIG. 10 or an open perimeter as exemplifiedin FIG. 10 a, all of which shapes will be readily identified by thoseskilled in the art. In alternative embodiments a bracing member is abracing bar as defined herein. It will be understood that the term hoopas used herein is to be understood broadly and is not limited to exactlycircular shapes and includes a range of shapes that approximate a circleor that substantially enclose a space. In particular embodiments hereof,bracing members are hoops or circles but it will be understood that suchcircular embodiments are illustrative and not limiting of a range ofpossible shapes of bracing members. In embodiments, bracing members ismade of or may comprise any suitable materials and in embodiments maycomprise one or more of plastic, resin, fiberglass, metal and any othersuitable materials, all of which will be readily identified andimplemented by those skilled in the art. The drawings show embodimentsof bracing members and embodiments of the use of bracing members to formsupport frames.

In this disclosure the term “edge adaptor” refers to a structure whosepurpose is to adjust the presented surface of a ring so that therelative orientation of a bracing member edge and a cooperating rod canbe more conveniently adjusted. One embodiment of an edge adaptor and itsuse is shown in FIG. 6.

In this disclosure, the term “support frame”, also referred to as a“support cage” or as a cage or a frame, means a structure for supportingparts of a plant and may comprise frames, grids and all manner andarrangements of frames, selected examples of which are illustrated inthe drawings but are in no way limiting. In particular embodiments aframe comprises supporting rods and cooperating bracing members and inembodiments these are hoops and in embodiments are other shapes. Thus inembodiments the bracing members are polygons or are any other shape,non-limiting examples including triangles, squares, pentagons, hexagons,ovals and all other suitable closed shapes, which will be readilyidentified and used by those skilled in the art. In alternativeembodiments a bracing member is a bracing bar as defined herein. Inparticular embodiments a frame forms an enclosure and is able to encloseor encircle or partly enclose or encircle a plant. In embodimentsportions of the plant may contact or rest on the structure while stillallowing the plant to grow therethrough, in the embodiments disclosedherein a support frame is formed by the assembly of support rods andbracing members. In the illustrated embodiments a support frame isintended to enclose a plant and it is placed around, or beside the plantto provide support or guide the plant's growth or to provide additionalsupport for a fruiting plant. In embodiments a support frame is formedby cooperating hoops and support rods, and in embodiments the hoops areconfigured to form a tapering structure, said tapering structure having,in embodiments, a larger diameter at the bottom than the top or viceversa. In embodiments, a support frame is covered with protective orinsulating or other materials or with netting. Thus in embodiments aframe comprises a plurality of hoops each having different diameters tothat the frame assembled from the hoops is tapered. In alternativeembodiments some or all of the plurality of hoops are substantially thesame size so that an assembled frame is not substantially tapered. Inembodiments combinations of hoop sizes are used to achieve a desiredshape. In embodiments a frame comprises at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10 or more support rods. In embodiments, a support frame is covered withnet, fabric or plastic sheet. In a series of embodiments a support frameis useable to form a pedestal for plant containers, by resting thecontainer on the top bracing ring, or if the orientation of the taperingframe is reversed, then it may be used to form a hanging frame, with aplant container resting inside the inverted cone shaped frame ratherthan outside the frame. In embodiments a support frame is a supportframe for a tomato plant. FIGS. 1 and 4 show assembled tapered supportframes according to embodiments.

In this disclosure the term “brace” refers to a structure intended tosecure a frame or a hoop relative to some other fixed structure. Anexample of an embodiment of a brace is shown in FIG. 9.

In this disclosure the term “removable segment” refers to a segment of ahoop which is optionally removed from the hoop to thereby create a gapin the hoop suitable to allow a structure such as a plant stem or branchto pass through the perimeter of the hoop. It will be understood that inembodiments a removable segment may in fact be permanently secured tothe remaining portion of the hoop at one end and may in such casesmerely be pivoted to allow a structure to pass through the hoopperimeter. It will be understood that such a removable segment and thecorresponding free end or ends of the remaining hoop segment will, inembodiments, be adapted to allow mutual relative securement, which ispermanent or is optional or reversible. It will be understood that themutual relative securing of opposed free hoop segment ends will beadapted as necessary or desirable to allow them to be convenientlymutually secured, and may for example comprise cooperating clips, hooksand loops, Velcro portions, projections and receiving openings, tongueand groove, adhesive or the like. It will be understood that inembodiments a removable segment is completely detached from the hoop andis adapted to be optionally detached and reattached. FIG. 7 shows anembodiment of a hoop having a removable segment and the use of such ahoop.

It will be understood that in this disclosure all terms are to beunderstood as qualified by the term “substantially” to the extent thatthis is compatible with their function. By way of example the recitationthat a structure is “rigid” is to be understood as meaning that thestructure is substantially rigid and that some limited degree offlexibility is permitted consistent with the function of the structure,as will be readily understood by one skilled in the art.

The following embodiments are given by way of illustration only. It isnot intended that the scope of the subject matter of this disclosure belimited to the details of construction and arrangement of the componentsset forth in the following embodiments or illustrated in the drawings.Particular embodiments of the subject matter hereof are now describedwith general reference to FIGS. 1 through 10.

Description Of Embodiments

First embodiment

In a first embodiment, described with particular reference to FIGS. 1through 7, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, there is provided a bracing member usedto form a plant support frame, a plant support frame comprising the hoopand methods for forming a plant support frame. In embodiments the framecomprises two or more or three or more bracing members and two or moreor three or more support rods. In embodiments the frame comprises atleast three support rods. In embodiments the frame comprises three ormore bracing members. In embodiments the frame comprises at least threesupport rods and at least three bracing members. In alternativeembodiments two or more or three or more of the bracing members are ofthe same or similar sizes and in further alternative embodiments two ormore or three or more of the bracing members are of different sizes. Oneillustrative embodiment of the first embodiment is generally designated10 and is shown in FIG. 1. This first embodiment comprises a pluralityof support rods 102 each having a top end 104 and a bottom end 106, andcomprising a series of bracing members 110, 112, 114 each having aninternal face 122 and an external face 124. The frame 10 is generallyconfigured so that it can enclose a plant 20 requiring support. It willbe understood that in particular applications it may be desirable toprepare the frame in advance of growth of the plant.

It will be seen that the illustrated embodiment comprises three bracingmembers 110,112,114 and four support rods 102 but those skilled in theart will immediately understand that any suitable number of bracingmembers and rods may be used. In practice it has been found that inorder to minimise material usage while achieving the desired result of astable frame, the most efficient assembly comprises three bracingmembers and three or four support rods spaced substantially evenly aboutthe circumference of the bracing members. It will be understood that inalternative embodiments the individual ones of the rods are positionedinside the hoops, or on the outside of the hoops, or pass through thehoops.

In embodiments suitable support rod fasteners are provided to secure therods 104 to the cooperating bracing members. In the embodiment fasteners129 are provided to secure the rods to the hoops and in the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 1 the fasteners are U-bolts.

In embodiments the securing fasteners comprise U-bolts as shown in FIGS.1, 2, 4 and 7, or comprise clamps as shown in FIG. 5, or comprise springclips as shown in FIGS. 3 A and 3B. A variety of alternative forms ofsecuring fastener will be readily identified and implemented by thoseskilled in the art.

It will be understood that the detailed structure of the bracing membersmay be varied in a variety of respects. Such hoops may be flattenedvertically, or may have a cross section that is square, rectangular,circular, oval or any other shape that is consistent with function. Inthe illustrated embodiment of the first embodiment 10, it will be seenthat the bracing members are generally flattened and that the supportrods 102 are arranged around the outer periphery 124 of the bracingmembers. The hoops are secured to the cooperating support rods by meansof U-bolts 130, whose use is illustrated in detail in FIG. 4, whichshows greater detail of a portion of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, in use,a U-bolt 130 encloses a support rod 102 at its closed end 131, and thearms 135 having free ends 134 of the U-bolt project through a hoop, suchas hoop 114 on its inner face 122, where they are secured by nuts 132 tothereby mutually secure rod 102 and hoop 114 against relative motion.While the accompanying plant is omitted for simplicity, in use, theframe according to FIG. 4 may be positioned around a plant as is shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of an edge adaptor for use with aU-bolt fastener. In FIG. 6 a U bolt 430 comprises an outer closed end431 comprises and arms 435 which project through hoop 500, and free ends424 are secured by nuts 422 on inside face 522 of the hoop 500. Theexterior periphery 524 of the hoop 500 is substantially flat. In orderto allow support rod 102 to more easily adapt to a suitable position tospan multiple bracing members, an adaptor 440 is essentially a disc witha missing segment 446 sized and shaped to fit around edge 524 and topand bottom surfaces 501, 502, of hoop 500. It will be seen that rod 102is held against curved outer surface 44 of adapter 440 when U-bolt 430is tightened up. Because surface 441 is curved, the angle between rod102 and hoop 500 can be easily adjusted.

Referring again to embodiment 10 if hoops 110, 112, 114 are of onlyslightly different sizes then rods 102 will define an angle of onlyslightly greater than 90° between the rod and the plane of the hoop. Onthe other hand if hoops 110, 112, 114 are of greatly differing size thenthe angle between rods and their support rods will be far fromperpendicular. The use of an adaptor 440 will make it easier for theangle to be adjusted without damage to the rods and/or the hoops. Thoseskilled in the art will recognise a variety of other forms of attachmentthat may be used to mutually secure rods and rods.

Thus, in broad aspect a hoop for forming a plant support frame comprisesopenings to accept a plurality of cooperating fasteners. In embodimentsa hoop comprises an optionally removable segment, one embodiment ofwhich is illustrated in FIG. 7 and is further explained below. Inembodiments the fasteners are clamps. In embodiments the clamp surfacesare able to adopt an angle of between about 5 degrees and 85 degrees tothe plane of the hoop.

In embodiments the hoop further comprises a plurality of radiallyoriented holes extending through the body of the hoop.

It will be understood that the relative size and number of hoops andsupport rods will be chosen by a user to provide a support frame havingthe desired dimensions and shape. Thus if a tall narrow tapered supportframe is desired a series of hoops having only slightly differingdiameters will be selected and if a wide squat tapered support frame isrequired then the bracing members will have substantially differentdiameters. If desired then a frame can be assembled using bracingmembers having substantially similar diameters so that the frame itselfis not tapered. Using suitable numbers and sizes of bracing members itwill be understood that frames having different shapes can be assembledin ways readily understood by those skilled in the art. Likewise forlarger bracing members or more sturdy construction a user may choose toincorporate more bracing members, or more rods, or more bracing membersand more rods. Suitable construction materials will likewise be selectedfor particular applications, so that a support frame intended to supporta greater weight of plant material may be constructed from metal orcarbon fiber or otherwise strengthened, and a frame intended only tosupport relatively light weights may use much lighter materials. Thoseskilled in the art will readily select different materials andgeometries to suit particular requirements.

FIG. 5 shows in cross section a further alternative form of securingdevice or fastener generally designated 150 for securing a rod 102relative to a bracing member 126. It will be seen that device 150 isembedded in or fitted into a recess in bracing member 126. It comprisesa securing plate 152, and two opposed clamping plates 154 and 156.Securing plate 152 is secured or embedded at its ends 157 in thematerial of bracing member 126 or is otherwise secured relative to thebracing member. Clamping plate 156 is mounted on the end of screw 158 sothat when screw 158 is tightened using slot 159 then plates 156 and 154are forced towards each other and secure a rod 104 insertedtherethrough. One or both of plates 154 and 156 may be mounted on amoveable mounting to more easily accommodate different angles ofinsertion of rod 102. Suitable mountings will be readily understood bythose in the art to include a simple ball and socket joint, a hinge, orany other construction allowing the orientation of the clamping surfaceto adjust to match the structure clamped therethrough. In embodimentsthe fastener assembly may be formed into or integral to the bracingmember and in alternative embodiments may be a separate structure thatcan be inserted into a suitably adapted receiving bracing member whendesired. In embodiments the clamping plates or clamping surfaces areable to adjust to adopt an angle of between about 5 and about 85 degreesto the plane of the bracing member. In embodiments the angle is betweenabout 10 and about 80 degrees. In embodiments the angle is between about15 and about 75 degrees in embodiments the angle is between about 20 andabout 70 degrees. In embodiments the angle is between about 35 and about65 degrees. In embodiments the angle is between about 45 and about 90degrees or between about 45 degrees and about 85 degrees or betweenabout 50 degrees and about 85 degrees. In embodiments the clampingplates 156 and 154 are at a fixed angle, and the angle is the same ineach bracing member of a set, so that inserted support rods fit snuglyand securely and in proper alignment as they extend through the clampsin each successive bracing member of a set.

It will be understood that in embodiments comprising clamps according toFIG. 5, then the rods 102 may effectively pass through the bracingmember rather than being secured on the outside periphery of the bracingmember. FIG. 7 shows a possible arrangement of holes 181 in a bracingmember 128, configured to receive the insertion of suitably sized rods.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative means or fastener for mutually securing abracing member 127 and rod 102. In this alternative embodiment a clipgenerally designated 160 comprises ends 161 and 162, a straight portion164 and a curved portion 163, and limbs 182, 180. In the illustratedembodiment end 162 forms a spring clip which can be opened and closed byadjusting the gap 165 between the free ends 166, 167 of the longer andshorter limbs. The clip 160 is configured to enclose and secure anadjacent perpendicular bracing member 127 when the ends of the clip 160is suitably positioned around a rod 102. It will be seen that in analternative arrangement the ends of the clip may engage a bracing memberand the curved potion of the clip may engage a rod. Thus the twocomponents of a joint formed by a clip will be approximatelyperpendicular to each other. A variety of shapes and design variants ofsuch a clip and corresponding adaptations and geometries for bracingmembers and rods will be readily envisaged and implemented by thoseskilled in the art. It will be understood that a bracing member or rodmay be adapted to more effectively engage a clip 160 and a variety ofdesign adjustments to the clip, bracing member and rod will be readilyunderstood and implemented by those skilled in the art.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it will be understood that in refinements ofthe frame 10 according to this and other embodiments, additional strutsmay be incorporated to allow the frame to be secured around a centralstructure, and additional structures such as hooks, nets, meshes,grills, and bracing or support structures can be incorporated into asupport frame, as may be desired by those skilled in the art. Wheredesired the top of a support frame may closed to provide apicalstructure by extending flexible or pre shaped rods across the topbracing member

It will be understood that when not assembled into a support frame, aset of bracing members such as bracing members 114, 112, 110 illustratedin FIG. 1, or 210, 212, 214 shown in FIG. 4, may be conveniently storedand/or transported in a flat concentric arrangement as is generallyshown in FIG. 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 a set of threegenerally concentrically arrange bracing members is generally designated900, and comprises three bracing members 902, 904, 906. For storage thebracing members are laid in generally concentric manner on a surface.Pins 910, are essentially bent rods comprising a long arm 914 and ashorter top portion 912. To secure the bracing members the long arms 914of the bracing members are inserted through aligned holes in the threebracing members as shown by 910A and 910B. Thus the concentricallyarranged bracing members can be secured for convenient storage andcarriage. It will be understood that bracing member sets will beprovided with suitably sized and positioned holes. Optionally pins 910may also or alternatively be used or useable to secure an assembledsupport frame to a substrate, as illustrate by pin 910C, the short topportion 912 of the pin is inserted into a radial hole in the desiredbottom ring of a cage assembly and the longer arm 914 is positioned inthe substrate. With the bottom ring of a cage secured to the substrate,the remainder of the cage is thus stabilised. Thus in embodiments theinternal and external diameters of the bracing members of a set will bechosen to permit concentric arrangement of the bracing members and inembodiments suitably sized anchor pins or pegs will be provided.

In one variant embodiment generally illustrated in FIG. 7, a bracingmember generally designated 128 comprises a body 170, and one or moreoptionally removable bracing member segments 171. The removable bracingmember segment 171 has free ends 174 and the remaining body 170 of thebracing member has free 175. The ends of the body 170 and removablesegment 171 are mutually engageable or securable. In the illustratedform ends 175 of the main portion 170 of the bracing member compriserecesses 177 sized and shaped to accept projections 178 on ends 174 ofremovable bracing member segment 171. When the bracing member is openeda gap 179 is created in the perimeter to allow the larger bracing membersegment 170 to be placed around the stem of an existing plant that it isdesired to enclose and support. With the larger bracing member segmentin place, the smaller segment 171 can be reattached, and with a desirednumber of bracing members in place these can be fastened to a desirednumber of support rods to thereby form a frame around the plant. A widevariety of other means to reversibly secure the bracing member segments170, 171 will be readily understood and implemented by those skilled inthe art. It will be understood that the ability to remove a section 171of a bracing member or of a plurality of bracing members, allows easieraccess to the volume enclosed by a frame, and permits a frame to beassembled around a pre-existing structure (such as a young tree, a rodor other structure). It will be understood that while FIG. 7 does notshow fasteners, this is purely for simplicity of illustration and thoseskilled in the art will immediately understand how U-bolts, clips andother types of fastener may be incorporated into or used with thebracing member of FIG. 7. Not only does the embodiment of FIG. 7 allow aframe to conveniently be positioned around an existing plant, itfacilitates the sequential adjustment of a frame by periodicallyincreasing bracing member sized to keep pace with any change in girth ofan enclosed plant.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that assembling aframe comprises positioning supporting rods and bracing members insuitable arrangement and then securing the bracing members in place onthe rods using the securing fasteners. In particular applications it maybe preferred to assemble a series of rods around a single bracing memberand then add additional bracing members as desired. In otherapplications it may be preferable to assemble the components in adifferent sequence.

The particular sequence of arrangement of components and securing ofcomponents will vary from one application and situation to another inways that will be readily identified and chosen amongst by those skilledin the art. In embodiments those skilled in the art will identify andimplement alternative fastener types to suit particular purposes.

Thus more broadly there is disclosed a plant support frame comprising atleast first and second support bracing members and a plurality ofsupport rods secured to the bracing members, the first and secondsupport bracing members having different bracing member diameters. Inembodiments the support frame comprises a third bracing member having adifferent bracing member diameter from the first and second bracingmembers. In embodiments the support frame comprises a fastener extendingat least partly through the body of a bracing member.

In embodiments the fastener is a screw clamp adapted to accept a rod atan angle of between about 5 degrees and about 85 degrees to the plane ofsaid bracing member. In embodiments the support rods and the bracingmembers are mutually secured by fasteners and wherein a plurality ofsaid fasteners comprises U bolts.

In a variant series of embodiments there are also provided bracing bars,one embodiment of which is shown in FIG. 8 and generally designated 30and there are disclosed methods for forming a plant support frame bysecuring one or more bracing bars or bracing members with cooperatingsupport rods. It will be seen that the bar 30 comprises a shaft 310having end recesses 320 adapted to accept insertion of U bolts 322. Witha rod 104 enclosed by the closed end 331 of a U-bolt the U bolt may betightened and held in place by nuts 324 applied to its free ends 323,that the bar 30 and a rod 102 are secured relative to each other. Thusby assembling a plurality of bars 310 and rods 102 in interconnectedfashion, a frame may be erected. It will be understood that by varyingangles, sizes and distances of the components, the shape and propertiesof an assembled frame may be readily adjusted as desired by one skilledin the art. Thus a frame may be generally planar or may be curved tocover a desired surface. Similarly by suitable positioning of bars androds extensions may be made to an existing support frame.

It will be understood that in use it may be desired to stabilise anassembled frame with guy ropes or struts of various designs. A widevariety of options for anchoring and stabilising an assembled frame willbe readily identified and implemented by those skilled in the art.

While in the illustrated embodiment recesses 320 at opposite ends of thebar 310 are on opposite sides of the bar, in alternative embodimentsthey may be on the same side. It will be understood that the variousmethods for securing a stabilising bracing member and cooperatingsupport rod described with reference to the first embodiment may also beadapted for use with variants of the third embodiment. All suchadaptations will be readily understood and implemented by those skilledin the art.

In variant embodiments generally designated 20 and illustrated in FIG.4, bracing members 201, 212, 214 are supported on rods 202. The bracingmembers have an inner edge 222 and an outer edge 224. The outer edge 224of a bracing member comprises recessed portions 226 which accept thepositioning therethrough of the supporting rods or other structures, andare separated by projecting portions 210. In variants of this embodimentthe outer margin 224 of one or more of the bracing members may bemodified in a variety of other ways to suit the requirements of a user.Fasteners 250 are provided to secure the rods 102 and the bracingmembers against relative movement. It will be understood that the sizeand shape of recesses 226 may be adjusted in a variety of ways both foraesthetic reasons and to accept suitably sized rods.

It will be understood that with suitable adaptations the varioussecuring means described with reference to the first embodiment may beadapted for use with the second embodiment. Those skilled in the artwill readily recognise and implement all such necessary or desirableadaptations.

In embodiments a frame also comprises a brace to hold a bracing memberor frame relative to a fixed support such as a tree, plant or centralrod. One embodiment of such a brace is shown in FIG. 9 and is generallydesignated 199. It comprises a central bracing member 191 defining ahole 192 and surrounded by radiating bars 193 with hooks or projections194 at their ends. In this embodiment the projections 194 are intendedto engage holes 195 in a suitably sized bracing member 196. Thus thebrace 199 serves to hold a frame generally designated 198 in positionaround a central structure 197, which may be a plant or any othersuitably sized and shaped object. In embodiments the brace also servesto guide the growth of a central plant by preventing it from leaningexcessively to one side or growing away from the vertical. It will beunderstood that a wide variety of other methods and structures to attachsuch a brace to a bracing member or frame will be readily understood bythose skilled in the art and that a wide variety of braces are possibleand suitable for particular purposes. It will also be understood thatwhere a ring is provided as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9, the ringmay be adapted to allow the brace to be positioned around a pre-existingsupport such as a tree. It will be further understood that inembodiments the central ring 191 will be adapted to allow the ring to beopened and closed, so that it can be positioned around a pre-existingsupport where the ring cannot be simply slipped down from the top of thecentral support.

Second Embodiment

In a second series of embodiments there is provided a kit for assembly aplant support frame. In embodiments the kit comprises at least first andsecond support bracing members, each first and second support bracingmembers having a different diameter. In embodiments the kit furthercomprises a third support bracing member. It will be understood that inembodiments the bracing members are sized so that the first bracingmember fits within the second bracing member, and the second bracingmember fits within the third bracing member, and that some or all of thebracing members may be concentrically arranged. In embodiments, thebracing members are adapted to be mutually secured in the foregoingconcentric arrangement.

One example of the embodiment is generally illustrated in FIG. 10wherein 10 a set of three generally concentrically arrange bracingmembers is generally designated 900, and comprises three bracing members902, 904, 906. For storage the bracing members are laid in generallyconcentric manner on a surface. Pins 910, are essentially bent rodscomprising a long arm 914 and a shorter top portion 912. To secure thebracing members the long arms 914 of the bracing members are insertedthrough aligned holes in the three bracing members as shown by 910A and910B. Thus the concentrically arranged bracing members can be securedfor convenient storage and carriage. It will be understood that bracingmember sets will be provided with suitably sized and positioned holes.Optionally pins 910 may also or alternatively be used or useable tosecure an assembled support frame to a substrate, as illustrate by pin910C, the short top portion 912 of the pin is inserted into a radialhole in the desired bottom ring of a cage assembly and the longer arm914 is positioned in the substrate. With the bottom ring of a cagesecured to the substrate, the remainder of the cage is thus stabilised.Thus in embodiments the internal and external diameters of the bracingmembers of a set will be chosen to permit concentric arrangement of thebracing members and in embodiments anchor pins or pegs will be provided.

In embodiments of a kit, at least one supporting bracing member isadapted to accept a plurality of cooperating rod fasteners. Inembodiments at least one of the bracing members comprises a removablesegment. In embodiments at least one of the rod fasteners is mounted inthe body of said supporting bracing member. In embodiments the kitcomprises fasteners selected from the group consisting of clips andU-bolts, for attaching the bracing members to rods.

In embodiments a rod fastener comprises a rod gripping surface able toadopt an angle of between about 5 degrees and about 85 degrees to theplane of the bracing member. In embodiments the kit comprises a leastone anchor pin and at least one bracing member comprises a plurality ofradial holes sized to accept radial insertion of said at least oneanchor pin.

In embodiments a bracing member comprises circumferentially spacedradial holes and the spacing is such that when the bracing members arearranged concentrically, then a plurality of said radial holes in aninner bracing member are aligned with a corresponding plurality ofradial holes in an outer bracing member so that a plurality of anchorpins of suitable length are insertable through the aligned holes tothereby mutually secure the bracing members.

In embodiments the kit comprises a plurality of cooperating fasteners.In embodiments each bracing member has an outer periphery and the outerperiphery comprises a plurality of rod receiving recesses.

In embodiments a kit comprises a plurality of support rods. Inembodiments a kit does not comprise rods and a user may freely assemblebracing members with any desired rods.

Generally particular embodiments of kits comprise the features andcomponents of any of the other embodiments. Those skilled in the artwill readily select particular features of the embodiments and adapt andimplement them as necessary or desirable for particular purposes.

The embodiments and examples presented herein are illustrative of thegeneral nature of the subject matter claimed and are not limiting. Itwill be understood by those skilled in the art how these embodiments canbe readily modified and/or adapted for various applications and invarious ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the subjectmatter disclosed and claimed. The claims hereof are to be understood toinclude without limitation all alternative embodiments and equivalentsof the subject matter hereof. Phrases, words and terms employed hereinare illustrative and are not limiting. Where permissible by law, allreferences cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.It will be appreciated that any aspects of the different embodimentsdisclosed herein may be combined in a range of possible alternativeembodiments, and alternative combinations of features, all of whichvaried combinations of features are to be understood to form a part ofthe subject matter claimed. Particular embodiments may alternativelycomprise or consist of or exclude any one or more of the elementsdisclosed.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A bracing member for forming, together withsuitable support rods, a plant support frame, the bracing membercomprising: a body portion defining a perimeter; an opening providedwithin said body portion and being surrounded by said perimeter; saidopening being sized and dimensioned to receive a plant there through;and a plurality of radially oriented circumferential holes extendingthrough the body portion, said holes being sized to accept a cooperatingfastener for selectively securing a support rod to an externalcircumference of the bracing member or an internal circumference of thebracing member, for forming a first configuration of the plant supportframe; wherein a spacing between the circumferential holes follows apattern which allows the circumferential holes of an inner bracingmember to be aligned with the circumferential holes of an outer bracingmember when the inner bracing member and the outer bracing member arearranged concentrically in a second configuration of the plant supportframe, the circumferential holes of the inner bracing member and theouter bracing member for securing the first bracing member and thesecond bracing member together using anchor pins insertable through thealigned circumferential holes when the bracing members are stored in aflat concentric arrangement of the second configuration of the plantsupport frame.
 2. The bracing member according to claim 1 wherein saidbracing member comprises a removable segment.
 3. The bracing memberaccording to claim 1 wherein said bracing member comprises saidfastener.
 4. The bracing member according to claim 1 wherein saidfastener is a U-bolt.
 5. The bracing member according to claim 2 whereinsaid fastener is a screw clamp, and said screw clamp comprises at leastone gripping surface able to adopt an angle of between about 5 degreesand 85 degrees to a plane of said bracing member.
 6. The bracing memberaccording to claim 1, wherein the body portion defines an openperimeter.
 7. The bracing member of claim 1 wherein the body portiondefines a closed perimeter.
 8. The bracing member of claim 1 wherein ashape of the bracing member is selected from the group consisting of: acircle, a hoop, an oval, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a pentagon,an hexagon, a heptagon, an octagon, a nonagon, and a decagon.
 9. Thebracing member according to claim 1 wherein said bracing member issecured to the support rod using a friction force resulting from apressure applied by the cooperating fastener onto a surface of contactof the bracing member with the support rod.
 10. A kit for a plantsupport frame, said kit comprising at least a first bracing member and asecond bracing member, each bracing member comprising: a body portiondefining a perimeter; an opening provided within said body portion andbeing surrounded by said perimeter; said opening being sized anddimensioned to receive a plant there through; and a plurality ofradially oriented circumferential holes extending through the bodyportion, said holes being sized to accept a cooperating fastener forselectively securing a support rod to an external circumference of thebracing member or an internal circumference of the bracing member, forforming a first configuration of the plant support frame; wherein aspacing between the circumferential holes follows a pattern which allowsthe circumferential holes of an inner bracing member to be aligned withthe circumferential holes of an outer bracing member when the innerbracing member and the outer bracing member are arranged concentricallyin a second configuration of the plant support frame, thecircumferential holes of the inner bracing member and the outer bracingmember for securing the first bracing member and the second bracingmember together using anchor pins insertable through the alignedcircumferential holes when the bracing members are stored in a flatconcentric arrangement of the second configuration of the plant supportframe.
 11. The kit according to claim 10 wherein said kit furthercomprises a plurality of cooperating fasteners for fastening saidbracing members to suitably sized support rod.
 12. The kit according toclaim 11 wherein at least one of said bracing members comprises aremovable segment.
 13. The kit according to claim 10 further comprisinga plurality of the support rod.
 14. The kit of claim 10, wherein thefirst and second bracing members have similar shapes and differentdimensions, wherein the second bracing member is dimensioned to fitwithin the opening of the first bracing member for storage in the flatconcentric arrangement.
 15. The kit of claim 10, wherein the bodyportion of at least one of the first bracing member and the secondbracing member defines an open perimeter.
 16. The kit according to claim10 wherein at least one of said bracing members is secured to thesupport rod using a friction force resulting from a pressure applied bythe cooperating fastener onto a surface of contact of the at least oneof said bracing members with the support rod.